In honour of our former President Roy Hudd OBE we will be launching an annual day to celebrate Music Hall and Variety on Saturday 16 May 2020. Roy was our President of the Society for 28 years until his death last month, and the day marks his birthday.

Chairman Adam Borzone said: “This year, more than ever, it is important to pay tribute to those we have lost. Roy Hudd brought joy to many during his lifetime. He was one of Music Hall’s most passionate and talented champions. It is fitting that the community he did so much for comes
together and celebrates by sharing memories of this era.”

“We wish to make this an annual event and hope in the future Music Hall and Variety Day will be marked with further events including talks, shows and exhibitions. This initiative presents an opportunity for performers, theatre historians, theatre collections and collectors to unite and engage with us in providing some entertainment and joy.”

Music Hall and Variety theatre fans are being invited to celebrate the day by sharing personal artifacts, collections and memories of the genre using the hashtag
#musichallvarietyday

This our inaugural year, it would be incredible if we could get #MusicHallVarietyDay trending so please on Saturday 16th May share your favourite poster, photograph or programme.

Don’t forget to put
#MusicHallVarietyDay in your post and on the day don't forget to follow
#musichallvarietyday to see what everyone is sharing to celebrate this day.

Have you a favourite poster?#MusicHallVarietyDay

Or maybe a theatre programme?#MusicHallVarietyDay

Or photograph?#MusicHallVarietyDay

Roy’s widow, Debbie, said: “I am delighted that the British Music Hall
Society is paying tribute to Roy in this way. Roy loved Music Hall and Variety. He was honoured to be the President of the Society and was thrilled and delighted with the continuing work it does.”

Music Hall was one of the most popular forms of affordable British theatrical entertainment. It was popular from the early Victorian era, which faded away after 1918 and was re-branded as ‘Variety.’ The influences of this era of popular entertainment are still present today, such as Saturday evening talent contests, stand up and sketch comedy.

A comedian, an author, a radio satirist, a serious actor, a soap star, an
archivist, and leading authority on British music hall and variety entertainment.

A star of stage, screen & radio since the 1950’s Roy worked with and had stories about them all. From his time as a Butlins Redcoat with Cliff Richard and Dave Allen, playing a matinee in Dartmoor Prison with Ken Dodd, Royal Variety Performances, TV roles including Dennis Potter dramas and Coronation Street, 26 years of The News Huddlines, winning an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Bud Flanagan in ‘Underneath the Arches’ and endless Pantomimes & Variety shows, Roy really has worked every type of audience that made him one of Britain’s
bestloved entertainers.

Roy in his own words; ‘As a child, I didn’t want to be a swot, a
goodie-goodie, but I didn’t want to be a complete tearaway either. I wanted to be an actor but I also wanted to be a stand-up comic, a researcher, a singer and
variety turn too. As my dear Gran who brought me up said ‘he is like a Fart in a Colander’ as I wanted to do it all’.